Photographer Scott Martin was visiting the Viera Wetlands near Melbourne, FL, when he captured this rare encounter between a great blue heron and a small American alligator. Had the gator been a little larger, the tides would have certainly been reversed, however, mother nature was on the side of the Heron.

"The great blue heron 'played' with the little gator for at least twenty minutes before killing and swallowing it," said Scott.

Blue herons will typically eat nearly anything within striking distance, ranging from small mammals and birds to insects, fish, amphibians, and small reptiles. This species of wading bird is a common sight throughout the wetlands of the state, including ponds lakes and canals.